Spring Lemon and Spinach Pasta

With the weather turning warmer it leaves me wanting to eat things light and fresh.  Plus I love anything with lemon and spinach! Yum!

Spring Lemon and Spinach Pasta

Ingredients:
12 oz. fettuccine
2/3 cup ricotta cheese
2 tsp. grated lemon rind
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
10 oz. spinach
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
salt/pepper to taste

Servings: 4
Calories: 415

Boil water

 

 Cook pasta

 

Drain, reserving 3/4 cup of pasta water

 

Cut up garlic and bell pepper

 

Mix together lemon juice, rind, ricotta, salt, pepper, and red pepper

 

Heat oil in LARGE skillet

 

Saute garlic and bell pepper (3-5 minutes)

Add pasta, spinach, pasta water, and ricotta mixture.  Cook until spinach wilts (2-3 minutes)

 

That's it...pretty simple!

 

 I paired this with a salad and garlic bread

 

 ***TIP

Most recipes have 4-6 servings.  Since it's just me and Jamie I always put the other servings away first thing (this helps to not over eat AND Jamie likes leftovers for lunch).

 

 

This dish must have been good because my husband cleaned the kitchen after dinner!!! He is a keeper!!! :)

 

 

 

 



Sweets for my Sweetie!

Everyone knows once you have a baby everything else takes 2nd priority...including your husband.  I try to make sure I show my husband how much I appreciate him and love him daily. 

When Jamie and I were dating I used to bake for him all the time.  I haven't done that for him in a LONG time.  Little "I love you" gestures are important in a marriage.  I hope and pray that I never take my husband for granted and that he knows I love him and appreciate everything he does for our family. 

SO all that being said...this is what I made for Jamie this morning.  YUM!

Loaded M&M Oreo Cookie Bars

Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
1 large egg
1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (I used almond since I was out of vanilla)
1 cup all-purpose flour
18 Oreo Cookies (chopped)
1/2 cup M&M's

Servings: 12
Calories: 283

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

 

Line 8x8 pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray

 

Melt butter 

 

Whisk in egg

 

Add vanilla extract

 

And brown sugar

 

Whisk all together

 

Add flour, gradually

 

Chop Oreos (I over chopped mine and should have just used a knife)

 

Stir Oreos into batter and pour into your pan.  Top with M&M's

 

Bake for 20 minutes or until knife comes out clean AND enjoy!

 

***I totally ate one for breakfast BUT I did track it on MyFitnessPal ;)

 

 

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Tonight I made another pinterest recipe! What did I do before pinterest?

This recipe is super simple and I used ingredients that were left over from other meals. I always have grilled cooked chicken in my fridge ready to go. I like to get my George Forman grill out on Sunday’s and cook a whole bag of frozen chicken breast…this way I can use it for recipes, salads, or a quick lunch for Jamie.

Also, I always have dry ranch dressing seasoning mix on hand. I use it 9 times out of 10 for roasted potatoes. AND it goes without saying most people have milk, cheese, butter, flour, and pasta on hand.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Ingredients:
8 ounces penne pasta
1 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. flour
2 Tbsp. dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup cooked, chopped bacon (I used bacon pieces for a shortcut)
2 cups cooked chopped chicken

Servings: 4
Calories: 571

 

First thing I do is lay out all my ingredients so I can have them at the ready.

Next, you will boil your water for the pasta.

 

Add pasta once it starts to boil.

 

 

Once your pasta is cooked you will drain it and set aside.

 

 

In the same pot melt your butter.

 

 

Then whisk in flour (stir for about a minute).

 

 

Now add your milk and stir till it thickens (3-5 minutes).

 

 

Once the sauce has thickened you're ready to add your cheese and dry ranch mix.  Stir till cheese is melted.

 

 

Lastly, add your bacon, pasta, and chicken.  Stir to combine.

 

 

VOILA!!!! You're done.  You could pair this with bread or salad...or BOTH!!! :)

 

 

Jamie really liked this dish and so did I since it was so simple and quick to make! Enjoy!!!

 

 

 

New recipe and counting calories...

As most of the people that read this know...I actually lost weight and didn't gain any during my pregnancy.  One week postpartum I ended up weighing almost 50 pounds less than I did the day I found out I was pregnant.  CRAZINESS!  Let's just say the past few years I haven't been the healthiest and survived on campus food and vending machines every day.  After I graduated last May and found out I was pregnant I knew I had to change the way I ate.  I didn't "diet"...but rather cut out soda almost entirely, cut out fast food, and walked with my friend Anna Grace that was also pregnant. 

I want to continue with this healthier lifestyle and getting to a healthy weight.  I've decided to track my calories so I can be a little more organized and smart on losing weight.  It's really not about the number or size BUT being healthy and setting a good example for my son.

SO if you want to follow me on MyFitnessPal my username is MrsArnold609.  I just finished my 1st day of logging my food.  It really wasn't that bad.  With cooking so much and creating recipes I was worried it was going to be time consuming but the app has a recipe maker which made it really simple.

 

Todays food included: turkey sausage and fruit, chicken salad, and beef lo mein.

 

Beef Lo Mein

 

Ingredients:

8 ounces thin spaghetti

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1/4 cups hot boiled water

1 tablespoon beef better than bullion

3 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 pound beef

2 large carrots

2 cups broccoli

1 large onion

4 garlic cloves

 

 

 

Cook spaghetti per box instructions.  Into cooked spaghetti add sesame oil and stir to combine.  Into hot, boiled water add better than bullion and brown sugar; stir to dissolve.  Into the mixture, add soy sauce and set aside.  Using a hot skillet, brown both sides of the beef.  Let beef cool and slice it into two inch pieces.  Add sliced beef into the same skillet, fry until completely cooked.  Into the cooked beef, add sauce mixture, cook all together for about a minute, set aside.  Dice carrots, broccoli and onion into two inch pieces.  Using the skillet, where you've cooked beef, sauté onions until golden brown.  Remove from the heat.  In a separate oiled skillet, sauté carrots until softened, add broccoli and cook for about three minutes.  Press garlic into the same mixture and remove from the heat.  In a large dish, combine spaghetti, vegetables and beef, together.  Toss to combine, serve hot.

 

Servings: 8

Calories: 833

 

***This recipe is not one of my own.  Found on pinterest!!!



 

I'm back!!!

What a busy and crazy year we've had already!!! Here is a quick recap:

On January 24th at 5am I was induced to have our son.

 

Unfortunately, I was not dilating and we had to have an caesarian.  They had to put me fully under so Jamie had to anxiously wait in the lobby.

 

We welcomed our son that evening at a whopping 9 pounds and 3 ounces!!!

 

We took a trip to Nashville in February to introduce James to the family.

 

We rushed home a few days later because daddy got a phone call about a new job opportunity.

 

The job ended up being exactly what we have been praying for the last 6 months! However, it moved us from Arkansas to his new job location in Illinois. We decided to take a mini fishing vacation before we moved.

 

Our good friends the Graves threw us a going away party the night before we left. 

 

We arrived at our new home March 29th.

 

Jamie LOVES his new job.  I have finally finished unpacking the house and gotten back into a routine.  I'm really thankful for all the blessings God has given our little family this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

False Alarm

Yesterday morning was quite eventful for me and Jamie.  I had thought my water had broken when I woke up so I immediately called my doctor.  However, after a few hours at the hospital we realized it was a false alarm and baby James wasn't ready to come out yet.  I'm still dilated to a 3 and my doctor said he's sitting even lower than he was Tuesday.  All good signs but still no clue when the BIG day will happen. 

Last night I tossed and turned.  Very uncomfortable and lots of pelvic pain and constant mild back pain.  I keep thinking "Today is the day!" but nothing ever happens.  Praying he will come soon...ready to be back to normal. 

Jamie has been doing most of the cooking lately...which is why I haven't posted any recipes.  I still have managed to make his breakfast and lunches on our food prep days so he only has to worry about dinner.  Hopefully, I can keep this up till I go into labor but standing for a few hours cooking is less than ideal right now. 

Anyways, I will keep everyone posted if anything changes...

"Perfect mom"....?

As most of my family and friends know I've had a difficult week.  Discouraged and exhausted are two words that come to mind.  Your body getting ready for labor can leave you quite hormonal and emotional in the last few days.  I worry most about being able to take care of a newborn, being a good role model and raising Godly children, and overall just being a "perfect mom". 

 

With all the expectations comes excitement from our family and friends.  I know everyone wants him to be here NOW (trust me...so do I).  Every morning I wake up to several dozen emails and texts asking how I'm feeling and if I think today is the day.  It has left me feeling inadequate and rushed.  I know I can't do anything to get him here quicker but I feel like I am doing something wrong and he should be here NOW.  I am so thankful to have so many people that genuinely care and are excited as we are to welcome baby Arnold into the world.  I've realized that I need to just relax and enjoy my last few days of solitude and rest. 

 

Yesterday, a light bulb went off and I knew what I should have been doing all along instead of wallowing in discouragement.  I needed to be spending time meditating over scripture and being in prayer with God.  I know the next few months I will be away from my church family and my daily quiet times with God will be few and far between.  So...the last few days I've been soaking up all the time I can.  I've been reflecting on what it truly means to be a "perfect mom" and studying scripture on what GOD (not everyone else) calls me to do as a mother and wife.  Knowing that God has chosen me and blessed me to be a mother is so humbling.

 

I was led to read this book this week and it has been such an encouragement and so inspiring when I desperately needed it.  The author talks about being a "Proverbs 31 Woman" and she gives so many great examples and tips to do this and what it truly means. 

 

I also found great insight and encouragement on being a homemaker and how big of a responsibility and role that is.  I get rude and sarcastic comments ALL time about not working and staying at home.  I feel the judgment and stigma that is put on me.  I have become somewhat private in discussing a lot of my parenting views with family and friends because of the backlash I've already been given. 

  

Just my decision on cloth diapers caused such an uproar.  I cannot tell you how many negative comments I've gotten on this (even from complete strangers).  The decision for us strictly came down to money.  Trust me...no one wants to wash poopy diapers. :)

 

In the end, you have to do what is right for you and your family by seeking and asking God through prayer and scripture.  I hope to share more tidbits on here what that means for our family but for now this soon-to-be momma is going to rest and relax.